This document provides an introduction and overview of civil engineering. It begins with definitions of civil engineering and its broad disciplines. It then discusses the various sub-disciplines of civil engineering like structural engineering, transportation engineering, geotechnical engineering, and environmental engineering. For each sub-discipline, it provides a brief description of the focus and typical job roles. It also discusses other aspects like common industries civil engineers work in, typical salaries, and the scope of career opportunities available after graduation for civil engineers.

1. Introduction to Civil Engineering
SUBJECT CODE:HSMC251

2. Module 1
• Basic Understanding: What is Civil
Engineering/ Infrastructure? Basics of
Engineering and Civil Engineering; Broad
disciplines of Civil Engineering; Importance
of Civil Engineering, Possible scopes for a
career
Tutorials
• Develop a matrix of various disciplines and
possible roles for engineers in each

3. What is Civil Engineering/
Infrastructure?
• Civil engineering is a professional a
engineering discipline that deals with the
design, construction, and maintenance of the
physical and naturally built environment,
including public works such as roads,
bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewerage
systems, pipelines, structural components of
buildings, and railways.

4. Understanding Civil Engineering
• Civil engineering is the improvement of civil society through the
application of scientific knowledge. Civil requirements in today’s society
are focused on meeting basic human needs and assisting people in their
daily lives. These needs are met by improving infrastructure and common
utilities.
• Civil Engineers understand the environment and how they can use it safely
and smartly to improve our quality of life. Environmental consideration
ensures that all structures and utilities they implement are safe, economical
and environmentally-sound. Education and skills are focused on
understanding the environment and its natural elements. Coupled with
expertise in construction techniques and design skills allows civil
engineers to work on massive skyscrapers and bridges. The daily activities
of a civil engineer vary according to the industry they settle into. The most
common duties include design of structural elements, supervision of
material extraction and general project management. Generally they work
as part of large teams and will be sent out ‘on site’ to supervise and
monitor the progress of a project.

5. Understanding Civil Engineering
• As the civil world is so diverse, civil engineers have the most varied career
options out of all the major disciplines. They work on both the small and
large scale of construction and infrastructure. Opportunities exist for some
to start their own business and contract their services to private developers
for large projects.
• Students who excel at organizing and planning large projects are well
suited to this discipline. The civil course structure focuses on construction
techniques, environmental concerns and social impact. Compared with the
other disciplines, it is technically less challenging and broader in its
content. If you strictly prefer the calculation and mathematical side of
things, chemical, electrical or mechanical are more suitable. Civil
engineers are very well rounded and are educated in most areas of business
and management. They tend to work on larger projects as part of huge
teams, with less opportunity for individual work.

6. COMMON INDUSTRIES FOR CIVIL
ENGINEERS
Below is a list of the most common industries civil
engineers work in. Within each industry there is a
wide range of positions available for civil engineers.
• Mining and Drilling
• Residential Construction
• Commercial Construction
• Urban Planning
• Water and Gas Infrastructure
• Sewerage Systems
• Renewable Energy
• Transportation Agencies
• Government Agencies

7. Civil Engineering Salaries
• Now the important part, how much civil
engineers get paid! Engineers are paid quite
well, usually well above the average salary for
many other professions. It should be noted that
these figures are not comparable between
countries, are subject to change at any time and
should be used only as an indication of average
salaries within each discipline.

8. Sub-Disciplines of Civil Engineering
The sub-disciplines of civil engineering are well established
fields with opportunity for growth. A graduate majoring in
civil engineering has knowledge in most, if not all of the sub-
disciplinary areas. They do not possess expertise in these sub-
disciplines, allowing them to usually look at the big picture of
a project (leading to management positions). If you know
which type of work or field you would most enjoy, it is
advisable to choose the relevant sub-discipline to give yourself
the best chance of success.

9. Architectural Engineering
• Architectural engineering is a broad discipline that includes all
methods in building design and construction. Architecture is the
design of buildings and artificial structures with a large emphasis on
aesthetics. Architectural engineering combines building design and
aesthetics with a focus on functionality. This discipline is a mix of
many other disciplines and varies depending on the country. All
architectural engineers have structural knowledge and as well as the
creativity that architects are known for. Graduates may specialise in
any area of commercial building design such as heating, ventilation,
fire protection, electrical or acoustics. Supervision of the
construction process is a fundamental skill obtained in this
discipline.
• Professional accreditation is required in most countries due to the
specialised skill set and liability that architectural engineers are
faced with.

10. Construction Engineering
• Construction engineering is the management and delivery of construction projects.
Construction is considered to be any building projects used for residential or
commercial applications. Civil engineers that are educated in the field of
construction management are classified as construction engineers. They are
required to plan construction activities, supervise structural elements and inspect
the building upon completion. Construction engineers work with architects and
engineering technicians on building design and on-site problem solving.
Construction engineers also compile reports which detail the cost feasibility and
estimation of the project.
• Use of Computer Aided Design software is common, although not to the same
extent as a structural engineer. Construction engineers combine project
management skills and mathematical knowledge. Construction engineers may
specialise in residential housing, bridges, skyscraper, industrial warehouses or any
other infrastructure that exists. The health of the construction industry in each
country determines the demand for construction engineers. Their unique skill set
ensures that they are highly sought after in most countries.

11. Earthquake Engineering
• Earthquake engineering is a specialised field in geotechnical
engineering. Earthquakes are simply a series of vibrations in
the earth’s crust that potentially causes immense damage
above the Earth’s surface. Engineering is applied to the study
of earthquakes to protect the environment and people from
being harmed. It is achieved by identifying areas that are at
risk of earthquakes and by using design and construction
techniques to strengthen buildings. Simulation and failure
mode analysis helps engineers to design structural elements
that can withstand earthquake exposure without major
structural damage.
• Earthquake engineering is a small niche that provides
opportunities in a limited number of countries.

12. Ecological Engineering
• Ecological engineering is a specialised field in
environmental engineering. Ecology is about the
interaction between organisms and their
environment, called ecosystems. The engineering
of ecosystems centres on their construction and
maintenance. Engineers can either focus on
natural ecosystem maintenance or the
construction of artificial ecosystems. Fish living in
a lake is an example of a natural ecosystem. An
engineer will consider the health of the fish and
the impact of factors such as water quality and
bacteria levels.

13. Environmental Engineering
• Environmental engineering is used to create strategies to protect and improve
the Environment. The environment includes everything created by nature (air,
water, flora and fauna). Engineering is used to maintain the quality of water, air
and land. This discipline is civil engineering with an emphasis on sustainable
practice, methods and results. Environmental engineers implement strategies to
deal with pollution, waste management and noise levels. They conduct case
studies and then create plans to prevent natural disasters and pollution. Most of
their work is completed in an office, with a big emphasis on data analysis and
statistics. Unlike other civil engineering disciplines, environmental engineers
rarely use design or simulation software. Due to the complex environmental
laws, graduates of this discipline tend to have a better handle on ethics and
social problems. You must have a passion for the environment to work in this
field.
• Environmental engineers are wanted for government projects and by parks
departments. Some private companies utilize environmental engineers if their
activities have a potential adverse effect on the natural environment.
Consultancy work is another possibility, with many research positions opening
up across universities.

14. Fire Protection Engineering
• Fire protection engineering is a specialised field in environmental
engineering. Fire safety relates to all factors that affect the safety of
humans in the event of a fire. Fire safety engineering creates plans
and tactics for reducing smoke and fire damage in houses, buildings
and cities. Fire safety engineers work closely with architects and
builders during the design phase of a building. Alarm systems,
stairwells, insulation and ventilation are the main concerns for fire
safety in an enclosed space. First aid and additional safety courses
are needed along with the bachelor’s degree for a graduate to
begin working in industry.
• Fire safety engineers are employed by construction and
development companies. There is the option for engineers to
become inspectors, who determine the causes and probable
preventions of a fire accident.

15. Geotechnical Engineering
• Geotechnical engineering is the practical application of geology. Geology
comprises the dynamic and physical history of the earth including the rocks,
minerals and elements it is made of. Application of this field occurs with an
understanding of materials and construction techniques. Geotechnical engineering
investigates the quality of land and how structures can be constructed within it.
• Engineers use their understanding of earth materials to determine the appropriate
supports and foundations needed for massive buildings. Firstly, they undertake a
feasibility study of a site by testing for soil quality, ground slope and rock features.
They also design foundations and put measures in place to prevent natural
hazards such as earthquakes. As with all civil disciplines, geotechnical engineers
consider sustainable practices when investigating and planning any construction.
Graduates have a broad skill set that includes economic and project management
capability.
• Many career positions exist in the mining and petroleum industries due to the
reliance on steel and fuel in modern society. Geotechnical engineers are highly
paid and are able to specialize into mining or earthquake engineers.

16. Highway Engineering
• Highway engineering is a specialised field within
transportation engineering. Highways are a major
feature of any industrialized country. This discipline
considers the design of the roads themselves, as well
as their relation to pedestrians. Highway engineers
study the traffic volumes and patterns to determine
strategies to prevent collisions and damage to the road
structures. They design highway systems with the aim
of optimising traffic flow and safety for all vehicles that
travel through them. A new area of focus for this
discipline is intelligent transport systems that will
eventually revolutionise the way humans travel day to
day.

17. Hydraulic Engineering
• Hydraulic Engineering is a specialised field in environmental engineering.
Hydraulic systems are operated or fuelled by the pressure of fluid (water,
oil etc.). Hydraulic engineering deals with the technical challenges
involved with water infrastructure and sewerage design. This discipline is
really all about fluid flow and how it behaves in large quantities. The main
focus is on the design of water storage and transport facilities. Dams,
channels, canals and lakes are all used to store and control water.
Machinery which uses hydraulic power is also designed by engineers in
this discipline. Daily activities include designing structural elements that
can withstand intense water pressure.
• Hydraulic engineers use fluid dynamics theory to predict how flowing
water interacts with its surroundings. Students learn how to use
computational fluid dynamics software packages which allow for complex
simulations of fluid flow. Typically, Hydraulic engineers are required by
utility companies for storm water and sewerage maintenance.

18. Coastal and ocean engineering
This branch of civil engineering involves
monitoring coastal areas and taking adequate
steps to protect them from sea storms, flooding
and erosion. These professionals also have a
hand in the development of various sea port
facilities.

19. MATERIALS ENGINEERING
This branch of experts has to ensure the
quality and durability of a vast variety of
materials used in the development of different
edifices. Material engineers usually deal with
materials such as cement, concrete, concrete
additives, metals and alloys, polymers and
paints.

20. MINING ENGINEERING
• Mining Engineering is a specialised field in geotechnical
engineering. Mining is the act of extracting coal and metal bearing
rocks and minerals (ore) from mines. Mining engineering deals
exclusively with the extraction and processing of ore, unlike
geotechnical which can consider any aspect of earth materials. A
mining engineer is used from the discovery of mineral deposits to
design and analyse the mining site. Mining engineers are mostly
in offices where they analyse data from drilling and geological
reports before planning and designing the site. Occasionally they
will visit the site either to supervise or inspect the progress of a
project. Students are trained in CAD and finite element software,
where they learn mechanical design skills to solve problems.
• One downside is the remote location of mining sites, usually
requiring lengthy travel and extended working time (such as 8
days on, 8 days off work). Mining engineers are amongst the
highest paid in the world and are multi-skilled in many areas of
engineering

21. RAILWAY ENGINEERING
• Railway engineering is a specialist field in
transportation engineering. Railways are
designed exclusively for the movement of
trains to transport people and/or freight. The
design, construction and operation of trains
and rail systems are all dealt with in this
discipline. Railway engineers possess
mechanical design skills and knowledge of
propulsion systems that allows them to design
train vessels. Railway engineers are frequently
on site, either supervising the rail system or in
a ‘hands on’ capacity.

22. TRAFFIC ENGINEERING
• Traffic engineering is a sub-set of transportation
engineering. Traffic specifically refers to the
movement of people and vehicles, usually through
roads and highways. Traffic engineers modify the
technical aspects of road design to maximise traffic
flow and reduce congestion. Road geometry, traffic
lights, road signs and pedestrian walkways are all
related and optimized to achieve one common goal;
reducing traffic congestion in a safe manner. Skills
used on a daily basis by traffic engineers include data
analysis problem solving skills when assessing traffic
and accident reports.

23. Transportation Engineering
• Transportation engineering is dedicated to the improvement of
transportation vehicles and logistics. Transportation of people, goods and
structures are all targeted by this discipline. Engineering of transportation
activity is divided by managing the current systems and researching new
technologies to improve transport in industrialized countries. Engineers in
this field spend most of their time planning and managing the various
tasks that come together to make transport occur. They cast an eye to the
future and consider the needs of society and how transport will affect
their lives.
• Graduates are trained in identifying structural integrity of roads and
obtain a basic understanding of vehicle propulsion and maintenance. You
have the option of specialising in a mode of transport such as air, road,
pedestrian or rail. The sub-disciplines of transportation engineering cater
for these modes; highway, traffic and railway. Many Government bodies
employ transport engineers to work on projects and safety investigations.
Private transportation companies also hire teams of engineers to maintain
efficiency and reduce the costs of their vehicles and systems.

24. Water Resource Engineering
• Water resource engineering is the study of water
throughout the world. Water resources include drinking
water and any water that must be stored or distributed
from one place to another. This discipline is really all about
fluid flow and how it behaves in large quantities. This
discipline considers the quality and logistics of all water
systems used the world. It differs from hydraulic
engineering which considers the technical aspects of
storing and channelling water. Engineers plan and manage
the tasks that are required to maintain water quality. They
ensure water can be channelled where it is needed in a
safe and efficient way. Common projects include wetland
restoration, stormwater and sewerage system design and
planning.

25. Structural Engineering
• Structural engineering focuses on the design of structures that are
required to withstand loads and environmental elements. Structures can
be categorized into houses, buildings and monuments. All of these
structures are composed of a number of components arranged to use the
fewest amount of material possible to produce the most stable
construction. Collaboration with architects is required on most structural
applications. Architects provide the external design and aesthetic appeal,
while the engineers design the internal skeleton and foundations to
ensure the building does not collapse.
• Structural engineers prepare drawings and specifications of the structural
elements. They have an exceptional understanding of materials and their
properties, allowing them to select the best ones for every situation.
Graduates possess fundamental design skills and require in-depth
knowledge of building codes and regulations. Most opportunities are
present in commercial and industrial construction companies. Many
experienced structural engineers have their own consulting businesses.

26. Scope for Civil Engineers after Graduation
• When planning to find a career in a conventional and promising branch of
engineering, Civil Engineering is one of the most sought after options
among students in India. If you are one of them, the following post offers
information about the scope in civil engineering, career prospects, and
other career suggestion. Keep reading...Civil engineering is one of the
oldest engineering specializations. Jobs varying from planning,
implementation, and designing of a wide range of structural activities are
available for civil engineers after graduation.
• A career after civil engineering is highly rewarding. There are jobs that
involve supervision, construction, design and analyzes of private as well as
public projects, such as dams, highways, canals, water sewages and
bridges. The profession demands excellent skills for both administration
and supervision of projects. Excellence and responsibility are important
factors associated with the job. In other words, whenever you see or read
about any popular landmark in the world (iconic works like Golden Gate
Bridge, The Gateway of India, Burj Khalifa, etc.), there is a civil engineer
involved in its construction. Isn’t it interesting!

27. Career Outlook
• A career as a civil engineer offers several lucrative
job avenues in both public & private sector. Some
popular options include consulting firms, railways,
defence force, and municipal corporations. Civil
engineering includes different specializations such as
construction, geo-technical, environmental, coastal
and transportation engineering. The aim of every
graduate is to get a highly paid job. Experience plays
a vital role in influencing your salary package.

28. A Promising Future
• To define the future prospects for civil
engineering graduates in India, lucrative
opportunities can be expected in construction,
energy, and power sector. In fact, civil
engineering is one branch of engineering that
has lesser unemployment rate than the other
branches.

29. There are several fields in this branch, which will
offer maximum scope. These include:
DESIGNING:
• For finding a designing career in civil engineering,
excellent academic record and experience is
important. Knowledge of civil engineering
software such as AutoCAD, Staad Pro v8i,
AutoTum, ,TopoCAD ,ABAQUS, MATLAB, ETAB,
NASTRAN,NISA, MIKE 21, MODFLOW, REVIT,
TEKLA, AUTOCAD,…GEOSTUDIO, EDUSHAKE,
MSP, PRIMAVERA, ArcGIS, VisSIM, …makes you
more employable.

30. PLANNING
• If you possess excellent planning skills,
choosing a career in planning or project
management is a good option. Planning
engineers find huge demand in construction
companies. Knowledge of software such as
MS Project and Primavera can be helpful in
this field.

31. CONSTRUCTION:
Job as a project or construction engineer
offers career opportunities in construction
field, including road and industrial
construction. It is considered a challenging job
and includes execution of mega projects at
different levels.
OTHERS: If you are looking for consulting or management roles, it is important
to gain work experience of at least five or more years under a qualified
engineer. This prepares you to understand the industry requirement. Moreover,
those who want to start their own company, it is mandatory to get a license to
render your services. Hence, the scope of civil engineering is bright in India and
across the globe. Once you have earned an engineering degree in the field from
any reputed college, finding a job is not a herculean task.

32. How to improve Job Prospects?
• If you are an enthusiastic engineer looking to develop
more practical skills, it is proven that getting hands-on
experience on multiple projects will help you acquire
skills that is much needed for getting core jobs.
Building projects and learning while you develop the
projects is one of the important prospect that you
need to look into for getting core job.
• For this, we at Skyfi Labs have developed project-
based courses on various streams to help you acquire
the necessary experience. You can choose projects
in Civil, Robotics, Electrical, Electronics, Mechanical, M
echatronics

33. PAY PACKET
• Pay packet of a civil engineer depends on a number of
things such as educational qualification, type of employer,
industry, location of work and so on.
Starting monthly salary of a graduate in civil engineering
could be around Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000. With due
experience and continuous upgrade of skills, the salary
increases by leaps and bounds. Professors in engineering
colleges get extraordinary amounts as monthly salary along
with other benefits.
It is important to ensure that you get a degree or diploma
from a reputed college as salary will also depend on the
brand image of your college.

34. Demand and Supply
• In the past few years, the demand for civil
engineers has exceeded the supply. The
growth in economy and exceeding demand for
well qualified and experienced civil engineers
has resulted in towering pay levels. Shortage
of 7,000 civil engineers is witnessed by India
every year. Therefore, no civil engineer can go
without a job after his graduation. As a civil
engineer, good job opportunities will await at
your doorstep.